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Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Daily: Tashkent–Moscow talk summit fallout, police flag rental scams, and Jizzakh bribery arrest

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Politics

Jizzakh Deputy District Head Arrested Over Alleged $30,000 Bribe Tied to 204 ha Farmland

Published: 2025-08-17

No qualifying direct quotes were provided in the source articles.

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service detained the deputy head of Forish district (Jizzakh region) on suspicion of soliciting a $30,000 bribe to secure continued access to 204 hectares of irrigated farmland won at auction by an agribusiness LLC in June. Investigators allege the official sought $20,000 immediately and $10,000 after harvest in exchange for not returning the land to the district reserve and for facilitating unrestricted future use. He was apprehended inside his official vehicle while receiving $20,000, according to multiple outlets citing the security service. A criminal case has been opened under Criminal Code Articles 168-4(a) (large-scale fraud) and 211-3(a), with pretrial detention applied. The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of land allocation and governance risks in the agricultural sector.

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Novosibirsk Court Jails Uzbek National for Financing Terrorism, Imposes Fine

Published: 2025-08-17

A military court in Novosibirsk sentenced a 28-year-old Uzbek citizen, identified as M.S., to nine years in prison for financing terrorism, according to the regional prosecutor’s office. The court found that M.S. transferred funds to an acquaintance’s account for subsequent delivery to a member of an international organization designated as terrorist in Russia. The Federal Security Service (FSB) in Novosibirsk region disrupted the scheme. The sentence includes three years in a general-regime facility followed by incarceration in a strict-regime colony for the remainder, along with a 350,000-ruble fine. The case highlights Russia’s stringent enforcement of anti-terror financing laws affecting migrant communities and signals elevated legal risks for cross-border financial transfers linked to proscribed entities.

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Economy

Weekly Brief: Heating Tariff Concerns, Cheaper AI-92 Pledge, and Digital Shift for Sole Proprietors

Published: 2025-08-17

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A weekly digest highlights several policy flashpoints and reforms. In Tashkent, a previously opaque agreement surfaces concerns that home heating costs could increase fivefold over four years, signaling mounting pressure on urban household budgets and potential political scrutiny of tariff-setting and subsidy reforms. The World Bank reportedly issued a downbeat outlook, suggesting it could take a century for the country to reach high-income status—an assessment that, if accurate, underscores structural growth constraints and the urgency of productivity-driven reforms. Officials floated a risky road-safety proposal to allow 80–90 km/h in high-density areas, which would likely face public-health and enforcement challenges. Meanwhile, authorities promise cheaper AI-92 fuel, with implications for transport costs and inflation. Small business policy is shifting toward full digitization, with new expectations for sole proprietors and self-employed workers that could tighten compliance while improving tax transparency.

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Jobless Rate Eases to 5.1% in H1 2025 as Formal Employment Rises and Informal Work Declines

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan’s unemployment fell to 5.1% in the first half of 2025, down 0.4 percentage points year on year, according to the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction (UzDaily.uz). Labor resources total 20.3 million, with 15.4 million economically active and 4.9 million inactive. Within the active group, 14.6 million are employed and 781,600 are registered unemployed. Formal employment reached roughly 8 million people (55%), a 19% increase versus H1 2024, while informal work decreased to 4.8 million (33%), down 13.6% year on year. An estimated 1.8 million (12%) work abroad. Among the inactive population, 2.0 million (41%) are studying, 2.2 million (44%) are on childcare leave for children under two, and about 0.8 million do not seek or cannot find work. The data indicate continued shifts from informal to formal jobs and sustained labor migration.

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Auto Parts Manufacturing Tie-Up Discussed in Uzbekistan–Poland Online Meeting

Published: 2025-08-17

Senior representatives from UzAuto (O‘zavtosanoat) and Poland’s Automotive Industry Association held an online meeting to explore joint production of automobile spare parts. The discussion brought together Davron Hidoyatov, deputy chair of UzAuto’s management board, and Jakub Faryś, president of the Polish association, signaling early-stage talks on co-manufacturing and potential supplier integration. While no commitments or timelines were announced, the engagement points to interest in leveraging Poland’s EU-market experience alongside Uzbekistan’s growing automotive base and localized component demand. For foreign manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers, prospective cooperation could open pathways for technology transfer, standards alignment, and access to regional supply chains spanning Central Asia and Europe. Further details on investment terms, location, and product lines were not disclosed.

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Whistleblower Rewards Top 19.7 Billion Soums as Tax App Flags Widespread Violations

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan’s State Tax Committee reported 63,988 submissions about tax violations via the “Tax Partner” function of its mobile app from January to July 2025. After filtering 31,423 repeat or pending-review cases, authorities conducted 25,924 field inspections, confirming violations in 98.9% of instances. The committee disbursed 19.7 billion soums in rewards to informants across 27,451 cases, equivalent to 20% of collected fines. The scale of validated violations underscores expanding public use of digital reporting tools and heightened enforcement. The update follows a recent disclosure of a technical failure in the committee’s database that led to unjustified debits totaling 399.3 billion soums from 30,100 taxpayers, including a reported 200 million-soum withdrawal from one entrepreneur—an episode likely to intensify scrutiny of back-end systems and due-process safeguards.

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State Launches Open Sale of 100% Stake in Boysunkumir Coal Asset

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan’s Agency for State Asset Management opened an auction to privatize 100% of the state’s stake in Boysunkumir LLC, a coal producer in Surkhandarya’s Baysun district. The asset holds mining rights in the Boysun coal field’s Southern section through 2055. The process, advised by Alkes Research, runs in two stages: expressions of interest (EOI) and binding offers (BO). EOI applicants must submit corporate, shareholder, and ultimate beneficiary details plus audited financials for the last three years by 23:59 (Tashkent time) on 20 September 2025. Shortlisted bidders will sign NDAs, access a virtual data room with financial, tax, and legal reports, and conduct site visits. Binding bids require a guarantee deposit of at least 1% of the offer value. The sale aligns with the government’s ongoing privatization program, signaling opportunities in energy and extractives.

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Economist Presses for 2025 Grain Harvest Data as Officials Remain Silent

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbek economist Otabek Bakirov publicly urged authorities to release official statistics on the 2025 grain harvest, noting that, with two weeks left in summer, no figures have been published by the Agriculture Ministry or the State Statistics Committee—bodies responsible for such disclosures. He argued that timely data is essential for planning the next season, contrasting the current silence with previous years when harvest totals were announced by mid-July. In 2024, the Farmers’ Council reported 9 million tons by June 30, while the Agriculture Ministry cited 8.1 million tons in 2023 on July 15. Weather-related headwinds—low precipitation, warm winter, and a hot, dry May—reportedly reduced yields, with some sources suggesting total output may not reach 5 million tons.

"We need the numbers now to think about next year." - Otabek Bakirov (anhor.uz)

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Bilateral Effort Launched to Support Women Entrepreneurs with Malaysia’s IWEM

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Malaysia, Karomiddin Gadoyev, met with Norazizah Borhan, president of the International Women Entrepreneurial Alliance of Malaysia (IWEM), to discuss cooperation on supporting women-led businesses. While specific programs were not disclosed, the engagement signals an intent to build partnerships connecting Uzbek women entrepreneurs with Malaysian networks and mentorship platforms. Such collaboration could open access to training, market exposure, and potential co-financing opportunities, particularly in sectors where Malaysia has strong SME ecosystems like services, light manufacturing, and digital commerce. The meeting also suggests alignment with Uzbekistan’s broader agenda to diversify its private sector and improve gender-inclusive economic participation. Details on timelines, pilot initiatives, or institutional counterparts in Uzbekistan were not provided by the report.

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Stone Fruit Exports Reach 23,400 Tons as CIS Markets Dominate Orders

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan shipped 23,400 tons of apricots worth $18.8 million to 14 countries during January–July 2025, according to the National Statistics Committee. Exports were concentrated in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) markets, signaling sustained demand and established logistics channels. Russia absorbed the bulk at 17,111 tons, followed by Kazakhstan (4,256 tons), Kyrgyzstan (1,249 tons), Ukraine (305 tons), and Belarus (218 tons). Outside the CIS, shipments were smaller but diversified: Iraq (142 tons), Azerbaijan (40 tons), Poland (39 tons), and a combined 86 tons to other destinations. The data underscores the sector’s seasonal export profile and the continued importance of regional buyers for perishable produce, with limited but notable penetration into Middle Eastern and EU markets that may offer scope for value-added or off-season expansion.

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Diplomacy

Tashkent and Moscow Leaders Discuss U.S.–Russia Summit Outcomes, Trade Projects by Phone

Published: 2025-08-17

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a phone call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on 17 August, reviewing international issues and bilateral ties. Putin briefed Mirziyoyev on outcomes of the 15 August Russia–U.S. summit in Anchorage. Mirziyoyev expressed support for the reported understandings and noted expectations for de-escalation around Ukraine. The leaders also discussed maintaining the current pace of trade and accelerating priority industrial cooperation projects between Uzbek and Russian companies, emphasizing continued engagement across all levels of government. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev separately called Putin the same day to congratulate him on the summit’s results, saying the meeting helped Washington “better understand” Russia’s position on Ukraine, signaling regional interest in the dialogue’s implications for security and economic coordination.

"We support the agreements reached and hope the situation around Ukraine will be settled promptly." - President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (uza.uz)

"The meeting helped the U.S. to better understand Russia’s position on Ukraine." - President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (daryo.uz)

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Fergana and Kashgar Seal Sister-City Ties with Sector-Focused Cooperation Pact

Published: 2025-08-17

A Fergana regional delegation visited Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, culminating in a memorandum establishing sister-city relations between Fergana and Kashgar. The agreement targets practical cooperation in tourism, agriprocessing, building materials, seed production, and deployment of modern projects. A separate deal worth US$2.5 million was signed between Dilrabo Travel (Fergana) and Kashi Katie International Travel to boost bilateral tourism flows. Officials from Kokand and Kashgar’s Zepu County discussed joint tourism promotion and data sharing, while talks concluded with understandings in utilities manufacturing, robotics, and other fields. In Turfan, one of the world’s largest viticulture hubs, Fergana’s Altiqoriq district representatives explored collaboration after reviewing vineyards spanning 40,000 hectares with 560 grape varieties. The visit also included site tours of industrial enterprises and cultural venues.

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World Bank Procurement Lead Meets Uzbek Officials to Map Next-Phase Cooperation

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance held a bilateral meeting between Sarvar Nazarov, director of the State Procurement Policy Department, and Jientu Liu, the newly appointed head of the World Bank’s Central Asia public procurement group. The discussion centered on shaping future cooperation in public procurement, signaling potential alignment with international standards and expanded technical assistance. For foreign investors and contractors, closer World Bank engagement typically precedes reforms in tender transparency, e-procurement uptake, and capacity building—areas pivotal to market access and contract execution risk. The leadership change at the World Bank’s regional procurement team may also recalibrate priorities in sectoral support and project oversight. No specific commitments or timelines were announced, but the meeting indicates continuity of donor-backed procurement modernization efforts in Uzbekistan.

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Infrastructure

State Subsidies to Expand Household Access to Clean Water in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm

Published: 2025-08-17

A new government mechanism will subsidize up to 90% of costs (capped at 30 times the basic calculation unit) for eligible families in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm to drill artesian wells, install water pumps, and purchase drinking-water filters via the Unified National Social Protection information system (YAMIH). Only registered service providers—listed by the National Social Protection Agency—can perform the works, and beneficiaries will select and purchase services through the platform. Disbursement requires on-site verification by local mahalla leaders and regional housing-utilities officials, plus potable-water certification from the Sanitary-Epidemiological Committee. Funding in 2025 will be reallocated from one-time aid budgets; from 2026, it will be line-itemed in the state budget. The approved regulation formalizes ordering, installation, inspection, and subsidy issuance workflows, signaling a structured push to improve household water security in underserved areas.

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Chilonzor’s Farhod Street Section to Close 10 Days for Heating Pipe Replacement

Published: 2025-08-17

A segment of Farhod Street in Tashkent’s Chilonzor district will be closed to traffic from August 18 to August 30 for utility upgrades, according to the district administration. The closure spans from the Shuhrat intersection to the Chilonzor metro station junction while heating network pipelines are replaced. The temporary shutdown suggests potential congestion on alternative routes near the Chilonzor metro area; drivers should plan detours and expect delays during peak hours. Public transport may adjust routes in response. The works are part of ongoing infrastructure modernization aimed at improving winter heating reliability, a recurring priority in Tashkent’s urban maintenance cycle. Authorities have not announced nighttime work schedules or phased openings, indicating a full closure for the stated period.

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Society

Tashkent Police Warn Students of Fake Rental Listings Ahead of New Academic Year

Published: 2025-08-17

Tashkent’s Main Department of Internal Affairs cautioned incoming students and their families about a rise in online rental scams as the academic year begins. Scammers post photos of apartments they do not own, advertise below-market prices, and demand advance payments—often two months’ rent—for “reservation,” then disappear and block contact. Authorities advise not transferring money before viewing a property, meeting the actual owner, and signing a lease; and to avoid sharing personal data with unverified parties. The warning comes as student housing demand spikes in the capital. Separately, applications for dormitory places opened on August 1 via my.gov.uz, prioritizing beneficiaries first, with remaining beds allocated to general applicants on a queue basis. Together, the guidance and dorm process aim to reduce fraud exposure and offer safer accommodation channels for students.

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Investigative Report Probes Young Brides Sent to South Korea in Arranged Marriages

Published: 2025-08-17

"They receive $500 a month before marriage — but that’s a price, not happiness." - kun.uz investigation (kun.uz)

A kun.uz investigation highlights a pattern of teenage girls, some as young as 16–17, being matched with South Korean men in their 40s–50s through arrangement networks that resemble trafficking dynamics. The report describes families incentivized by monthly payments of around $500 prior to marriage, framing these transfers as transactional rather than supportive. Behind a veneer of cross-border romance, the article portrays coercive conditions and severe disillusionment, noting that an estimated 95% of these brides later regret the decision. The findings underscore risks of exploitation, gaps in legal protection for underage and transnational marriages, and the need for scrutiny of intermediaries facilitating such unions. The piece signals broader social and regulatory challenges around labor migration, poverty pressures, and safeguarding vulnerable minors in cross-border matrimonial arrangements.

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Nationwide Volunteer Clean‑Up Set for August 22–23 with Strict Ban on Coerced Labor

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan will hold a nationwide charity clean-up (xayriya hashari) on August 22–23, following approval of a dedicated working group. Activities include tidying neighborhoods and public spaces, pruning and whitewashing trees, and assisting vulnerable residents—particularly elderly, disabled, and those without providers—with home improvements. Organizers must supply necessary equipment and ensure waste collected during the effort is transported to designated sites by local authorities. The government reiterated that participation cannot be coercive, referencing Cabinet Resolution No. 349 (May 10, 2018), and mandated compliance with occupational safety rules. Volunteer initiatives are expressly prohibited in hazardous zones such as busy roads, rooftops, construction sites, and industrial facilities, with enforcement to prevent unsafe or unauthorized actions. No official statements or comments were cited in the article.

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Tashkent Neighborhood Reports Repeated Air-Gun Attacks on Pets; Probe Requested

Published: 2025-08-17

Residents of Chilonzor district’s Qizil-Sharq neighborhood in Tashkent have reported a man repeatedly shooting house and street animals with a pneumatic weapon, according to local accounts cited by anhor.uz. One cat reportedly had five pellets surgically removed. Community members have asked authorities to inspect the scene, confiscate the weapon, assess the man’s mental health, and initiate legal action. The alleged behavior appears to violate Uzbekistan’s Administrative Offenses Code and the Law on Weapons. As of publication, responsible agencies had not commented. The case highlights growing civic vigilance on animal welfare in urban areas and underscores the potential for administrative penalties and firearms restrictions if an investigation confirms the claims.

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Child Influencer Boom Raises Creativity Opportunities and Ethical Concerns

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan is seeing rapid growth in child-run—or more often parent-managed—social media accounts, mirroring a global trend where young influencers partner with brands in apparel, toys, education, and even food. The article highlights how success relies on parents’ media strategies, frequent content, and visual styling, citing international child influencers and local example Yasmin Zoitova, a four-year-old with over 1.6 million Instagram followers and paid collaborations with more than 10 major firms. Advocates say early exposure to media can build confidence, communication skills, and digital literacy. However, the piece underscores risks: pressure to produce content, loss of unstructured play, and anxiety tied to likes, views, and competition. It urges parents, educators, and regulators to prioritize children’s development and ensure commercial activity does not compromise childhood.

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Environment

Mongolian Breeds Airlifted to Navoiy as Livestock Import Drive Scales Toward 100,000 Head This Year

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan has begun large-scale air imports of Mongolian sheep breeds, with an initial batch of 1,000 Bayad sheep delivered to Navoiy and plans for 60 flights by end-October to reach 50,000 head; a further 50,000 are due in November–December. The program follows a June agreement between the countries and aims to expand Mongolian sheep and goats in Uzbekistan to 1 million by 2029. Customs fees on Mongolian small ruminant exports to Uzbekistan were cut from $18 to $7 per head, and Tashkent will subsidize 50% of air-transport costs, offer deferred VAT, five-year loans at 10%, and eased collateral. The breeds—Bayad, Torgut, Cashmere, and Mongol—are targeted for Navoiy’s vast rangelands, with reported meat yields of about 60% and ram weights up to 120 kg. Uzbekistan also plans reciprocal produce exports to Mongolia, including melons and watermelons.

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Plan Floated to Introduce Environmental Fees on Six Product Categories

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan’s Ecology Ministry has submitted a proposal to the president to introduce environmental fees on six categories: batteries and accumulators, vehicles, lubricants, packaging, tires and rubber tubes, and glass products. The initiative targets chronically low recycling rates and high landfill dependence. Official figures indicate only 17% of tires, 6.3% of glass, and 11.2% of plastics are currently recycled. Annual waste generation is substantial: 1.8 million tons of plastics, 144,000 tons of e-waste, 647,000 tons of glass, 250 tons of lubricants, and 217,000 units of rubber waste. E-waste could rise by 10,000 tons by 2035. Earlier data noted just 5% of the country’s 14 million tons of yearly waste is recycled. If adopted, the fees would likely shift costs onto producers and importers, incentivize collection and processing, and shape procurement and compliance for affected industries.

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Grape Output Rises 7.8% in H1 as Farms Lead Production

Published: 2025-08-17

Uzbekistan harvested 56.3 thousand tons of grapes in January–June 2025, up 7.8% year on year, according to preliminary data from the State Statistics Committee. The bulk of output came from farm enterprises, which produced 31.0 thousand tons, while dehqon and personal subsidiary farms contributed 24.4 thousand tons; agricultural organizations accounted for 0.9 thousand tons. The structure underscores the dominant role of private farms in horticulture supply chains and signals incremental growth in domestic raw material for fresh consumption, processing, and potential export. Seasonal dynamics and irrigation needs remain key variables for the second half. No export or price data were provided, but the increase suggests improved field performance and possible capacity for winery and juice processors if quality standards and logistics align.

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Global Plastics Treaty Talks in Geneva Collapse Again After 11-Day Standoff

Published: 2025-08-17

A sixth round of UN negotiations in Geneva to forge a legally binding global plastics treaty ended without agreement, extending deadlock since talks began in 2022. Delegates from 184 countries split over whether to cap plastic production or prioritize recycling infrastructure. Major oil exporters, including Russia and Saudi Arabia, opposed production limits, backed by petrochemical and extraction industries, while about 100 countries including EU members and the UK pushed for strict production controls. Proposals ranged from tighter manufacturing rules to standardizing bottle color to ease recycling. The Center for International Environmental Law reported at least 234 industry lobbyists present—exceeding the EU diplomats’ count—highlighting intense pressure on talks. Scientists warn recycling alone cannot stem pollution: only around 10% of plastic is currently recycled, and even a rise to 30% would not curb growth. Uzbekistan’s delegation participated, with its Ecology Ministry citing an active role. Previous talks in Busan in late 2024 also failed to produce a deal.

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Innovation

JIDU Raises Daytime Tuition Fees by 15% to Shore Up Finances

Published: 2025-08-17

The University of World Economy and Diplomacy (JIDU) increased tuition fees for full-time programs by 15%, citing reliance on daytime tuition for financial stability. The institution has not implemented evening, part-time, or distance-learning formats, concentrating revenue pressure on full-time students. For international observers, the move underscores the continued shift toward cost-sharing in higher education and potential affordability challenges for local families. It also signals limited diversification in program delivery at a flagship policy and diplomacy school, which may affect enrollment patterns and budget planning in the coming academic year. No official comments or statements from university leadership were included in the report, and details on the new absolute fee levels or any phased implementation were not provided.

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Health

Pediatric Surgeons Craft Heart Valve from Patient Tissue in First-of-its-Kind Operation

Published: 2025-08-17

A surgical team at Tashkent State Medical University’s Children’s Multidisciplinary Clinic performed a pioneering heart procedure on a six-year-old patient, creating a new valve from the child’s own cardiac tissue. The operation—among the most advanced techniques in contemporary cardiac surgery—was carried out for the first time in Uzbekistan, according to cardiothoracic surgeon Bobur To‘rayev, who described the method to Kun.uz. Autologous valve reconstruction can reduce rejection risks and avoid long-term dependence on synthetic implants, which is significant for pediatric cases that require growth-compatible solutions and minimize future reoperations. The successful case signals expanding capabilities in complex pediatric cardiac care domestically, potentially reducing the need for referrals abroad and fostering local expertise and training pathways in high-end cardiac surgery.

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Arts

Kaaba Door Curtain Section Delivered to Tashkent for Islamic Civilization Center Exhibit

Published: 2025-08-17

Saudi Arabia has transferred a full door section of the Kaaba’s kiswah to Uzbekistan, where it is expected to join the museum collection of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent. The panel measures 6.3 by 3.3 meters and represents part of the annually replaced black silk covering of the Kaaba; after replacement each year on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, portions of the previous kiswah are carefully divided and presented as symbolic gifts to leaders and institutions across the Muslim world. The delivery follows a February visit when Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah presented a kiswah fragment to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on behalf of King Salman, highlighting deepening religious-cultural ties and elevating the Center’s prospective draw for regional visitors and scholars.

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